James O’Connor sets bold Rugby World Cup ambition as Wallabies star issues message to Joe Schmidt
James O'Connor and head Joe Schmidt, and the Wallabies fly-half in training.
James O’Connor has set his sights on the 2027 Rugby World Cup after making an incredible return to Test rugby for the Wallabies in 2025.
The fly-half had spent three years in the international wilderness but, after injuries to Noah Lolesio and Tom Lynagh, Joe Schmidt brought him back into the fold.
O’Connor started their two matches in South Africa, guiding them to a remarkable victory over the Springboks in Johannesburg, before twice coming off the bench in the Argentina Tests.
Despite recently travelling to England after signing a deal with Gallagher Prem side Leicester Tigers, the playmaker will head back to the southern hemisphere ahead of the Bledisloe Cup.
He has been named in Schmidt’s squad for the matches against the All Blacks as they look to claim the trophy for the first time since 2002.
World Cup ambitions
However, the 35-year-old is not just content with being in the squad for this year and wants to bely his age by being part of the Wallabies side for the global tournament on home soil.
O’Connor reckons that it is an achievable goal providing he is managed right physically by Schmidt and future boss Les Kiss.
“Honestly, I never would have thought it but the way my body’s feeling now, 100 per cent I want it. It’s almost like the Lions story, we’ll see how the body holds up etc. but I know my body well and coaches especially, when they allow you to train in a way that’s a little bit different to possibly the rest of the group because of your age,” he told the GBRAUNZ podcast.
“I make kicking a bit of an emphasis and just not having to put the extra miles into my legs.
“The game day, that 80 minutes, that’s the fun part. I find that easier than when you do a tough day of training and you’ve got to back it up with a double session, and you’re doing it again Thursday to get up for a Saturday game.
“I’m blessed that [Crusaders head coach] Rob Penney was very generous with how he allowed me to train. He understands my limitations in terms of not putting too many miles into my legs.”
Elder statesman
O’Connor is also liking the set-up at the Wallabies where he is comfortably the most experienced option at Schmidt’s disposal.
Of those that have played at 10 for Australia this year, Donaldson is the next oldest at 26, followed by Lolesio and Tane Edmed (both 25), and Lynagh (22).
It is no doubt keeping O’Connor fresh as, according to the Leicester playmaker, there are benefits to training with younger players.
“It works quite well as well because we’ve got some young 10s with Tommy, Tane and Donno, who want to train more and want the extra kilometres,” the fly-half added, before he quipped: “I’m saying: ‘Here, have five reps and I will take two!’
“I want it, I want to be a part of it (the World Cup).”
